News
October 2008
The Snow Queen plays at Comic Con
Danishka's short film The Snow Queen continues to screen at fantasy-themed festivals and conventions. Catch it this weekend at Manitoba's Comic Con and Sci Fi Expo.
For more information, see http://manitobacomiccon.com/videoroom.php.
September 2008
Danishka Esterhazy awarded funding for new feature script
Danishka and co-writer/producer Stephanie Chapelle have been awarded development funding from the Corus Made with Pay Fund for their screenplay The Ethiopian Mantis.
For more information, see www.corusent.com/corporate/press_room/pressReleaseDetail.asp?id=1595.
August 2008
Danishka Esterhazy wins 2008 Kodak New Vision Mentorship Award
Danishka has been awarded the prestigious 2008 Kodak New Vision Mentorship Award, presented by Women in Film and Television – Toronto (WIFT-T) and Kodak Canada Entertainment Imaging. The Kodak New Vision Mentorship Award is presented annually to one exceptional Canadian female filmmaker. The award offers the invaluable opportunity to prepare for the Toronto International Film Festival through intensive industry coaching and a post-festival creative mentorship. Danishka will be mentored by Kari Skogland, director of The Stone Angel, and Laurie May, Co-President of Maple Pictures. The prize also includes a $5,000 in-kind donation of Kodak Motion Picture film stock.
For more information, see www.wift.com/mentorships_08_kodak_award_winner.htm.
August 2008
Danishka introduces film at Cinematheque
CINEMA LOUNGE: Critical Dialogue on Canadian Cinema
Cinematheque Winnipeg
Wed. Aug 6 – 7:00PM
C.R.A.Z.Y.
Directed by Jean Marc Vallee
Introduced by Danishka Esterhazy
Not since LÉOLO has there been such a powerful Canadian film of a loving but dysfunctional family. C.R.A.Z.Y. is the story of a teenage boy born on Christmas Day, who struggles with his Catholic family and burgeoning sexuality, constantly arguing with his father and junkie older brother – all powered by a superb soundtrack, from Patsy Cline’s Crazy to David Bowie’s Space Oddity. As part of the ongoing Cinema Lounge series, this film will be introduced by Manitoba filmmaker Danishka Esterhazy. Esterhazy uses a haunting visual style to create stories that examine barriers to human intimacy. She is a graduate of the Director's Lab program at the Canadian Film Centre and has written and directed several short films including the National Screen Institute Drama Prize winner THE SNOW QUEEN.
June 2008
Danishka featured in "Artist Next Door" TV Show
The Artist Next Door series features an array of local singers, songwriters, photographers, painters and poets. Created by Rik Leaf and Derek Eidse, the series celebrates Winnipeg’s rich cultural history and diversity. On June 25th, a special exhibit will feature artists from Winnipeg’s downtown and Exchange area. Danishka's films "Protection" and "The Snow Queen" will be screened. The event will be broadcast on MTS Allstream for their Winnipeg On Demand programming.
March 2008
Level 16 selected for NBC Universal Development Incubator
Danishka's feature script, Level 16, has been chosen for the NBC Universal Development Incubator program organized by Women in Film and Television
For more information, see the program website or the selection announcement.
February 2008
Level 16 receives development funding from Telefilm
Danishka's feature script, Level 16, has been awarded development funding from Telefilm. This science-fiction thriller is currently being co-developed by Chap-Elle Productions (Toronto) and Buffalo Gal Pictures (Winnipeg).
For more information, see: http://www.buffalogalpictures.com/development/level_16/ and http://www.telefilm.gc.ca
October 2007
Website launched for Level 16
Danishka's feature project Level 16 now has its own website!
Visit the site at: http://www.level16thefilm.com/
August 2007
Esterhazy invited to TIFF Talent Lab
Danishka Esterhazy has been invited to the attend the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival's Talent Lab. This four-day intensive programme offers artistic development opportunities to emerging Canadian filmmakers.
Guests of Talent Lab have included: producer Jan Chapman (The Piano); producer, director, and screenwriter Paul Haggis (Crash, Casino Royale); director, writer, composer Sally Potter (Orlando, Yes); writer and director Karim Ainouz (Madame Sata, Love for Sale); and legendary director Brian De Palma (The Untouchables, Femme Fatale). Motorola provides Talent Lab filmmakers with video-capture mobile phones to experiment with mobile movie filmmaking first hand. The Talent Lab initiative is run by STRADA FILMS producers Sandra Cunningham and Brad Fox. Strada Films is committed to directors whose work is decidedly individual, and has been successful in bringing many critically acclaimed Canadian feature films to screen. Some of these include John LEcuyers debut feature film, CURTIS'S CHARM and Robert Lepages POSSIBLE WORLDS starring Tilda Swinton and Tom McCaums. Their most recent film, FUGITIVE PIECES, directed by Jeremy Podeswa, is the Opening Night Film at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.
For more information, go to: http://www.torontointernationalfilmfestival.ca/industry/industryinitiatives/talentlab/.
April 2007
Snow Queen plays in San Fran
The Snow Queen will play at the 3rd annual San Fransisco Women's Film Festival . The short film will be featured during a Matinee shorts program on Saturday, April 14th. Fellow Winnipeg filmmaker Cecilia Araneda will also be featured.
For more information, go to: http://www.sfwff.com/SFWFF/Home.html.
March 2007
Herding Instinct premieres!
TRIP dance company is pleased to present the premiere of Herding Instinct, a new full-length work, as part of their 10th anniversary season. Created by Artistic Director Karen Kuzak, in collaboration with filmmaker Danishka Esterhazy and sound artist Ken Gregory, Herding Instinct will run March 23rd and 24th, 8 PM, at the Gas Station Theatre.
Featuring choreography for seven female dancers, a film element which includes sixty Clun Forest ewes and two working Border Collies, Herding Instinct is an unpredictable journey, where wildness and order co-exist. The sixty-minute work reflects Kuzak’s pursuit of purity, and a connection to the natural world through dance. The seven dancers are: Jolene Bailie, Jennifer Essex, Freya Olafson, Ali Robson, Giana Sherbo, Natasha Torres-Garner and Treasure Waddell
In her life outside of dance, Karen Kuzak is active in the world of dog sports; training and competing in agility, a fast-paced obstacle course for canines. Through her intimate connection to her own Border Collie, she has observed many behavioral similarities in the human and animal worlds.
"Learning to see our society from my dog’s perspective has led me, as an artist, to create and reflect a more honest portrait of humanity", comments Kuzak. "Herding is a beautiful and dangerous dance between the sheep and dog, prey and predator. The ancient, instinctual maneuvers provide a metaphor for the age-old human struggle to balance our search for individual identity within the comforts and constraints of society."
Kuzak is one of Canada’s most innovative modern dance choreographers. Her unmistakable movement style embodies a diverse range of physicality, from sensual to volatile; intricate to pure; hypnotic to abruptly violent. Since her choreographic debut in 1988, Karen’s work has reflected her desire to connect with both her audiences and performers with an honest immediacy. She has created works for Winnipeg’s Contemporary Dancers, EDAM and a number of independent artists. Her dances have been presented at the Festival of Canadian Modern Dance, the Canada Dance Festival, the Dancing on the Edge Festival and been seen throughout Canada.
In 1997, Karen formed TRIP dance company with partner Randy Joynt. The company has since premiered her six evening-length works: Lionheart, A Cloud in Trousers, Dragging the Volga (a co-production with the National Arts Centre), tomber dans les pommes, Blue Roof and Diving Girl as well as the evening of duets Lying with John, the show Wanted, and The Company of One; an evening of three solos.
Following its Winnipeg premiere, Herding Instinct will go on to Regina where two performances of the work will be presented by co-producer New Dance Horizons, March 30 and 31 at the Conexus Arts Centre.
Tickets are available through www.ticketweb.ca or at the box office 1 hr. prior to show time.
Prices: $20.00 for Adults, and $16 for Seniors/Students.
February 2007
Danishka curates short film program
Danishka has been asked to curate a program of short film for the William F. White Sofa Cinema taking place during the NSI FilmExchange program.
For more info, see the program.January 2007
Danishka awarded NSI Features First
Danishka Esterhazy (writer/director) and Stephanie Chapelle (producer) have won the National Screen Institute's Features First award. This national program provides filmmakers with training and assistance as they prepare to make their first feature-length film. Danishka's original script, "Level 16", is a dystopian sci-fi drama.
For more info:
http://www.nsi-canada.ca/news/2007/media011107.html
http://www.nsi-canada.ca/featuresfirst/index.shtml
The Snow Queen wins award in India
The Snow Queen was chosen as one of the "Top 20 Best Films" at the Short Film Festival of India. Other Winners included short films from the USA, South Africa and the UK.
For more information: http://www.shortfilmfestivalofindia.com/abouttheFilmFestival.html
December 2006
The Snow Queen goes to India
The Snow Queen will play at the Short Film Festival of India in Chennai, India, in early January 2007.
For more info: http://www.shortfilmfestivalofindia.com/November 2006
Danishka collaborates with Trip Dance
Danishka has been engaged by Trip Dance Company (Winnipeg) to create a film installation as part of a new original evening-length modern dance work. HERDING INSTINCT will feature eight female dancers and will be choreographed by TRIP co-founder and Artistic Director Karen Kuzak. The dance, and film, will premiere in Winnipeg March 2007 and then tour nationally.
For more info: http://www.tripdance.com
NSI National Exposure
Danishka has been invited to serve on the jury of the NSI’s National Exposure Amateur Movie Contest. Do you dream of being the next Guy Maddin, Sarah Polley or Paul Haggis? For budding filmmakers who dream of breaking into the world of film, Canada's coolest non-professional movie contest run by the National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI) is the perfect place to start.
For more info: http://www.nsi-canada.ca/filmexchange/nex/jury.htmlOctober 2006
The Snow Queen screens in Italy
The Snow Queen has been invited to Festa Internazionale di Roma – a new festival taking place in Italy’s capitol from October 13th to 21st, 2006.
For more info: http://www.romacinemafest.com/catalogoEng.asp?ID_WEB_FILM=119
September 2006
The Snow Queen screens in Texas
The Snow Queen has been invited to Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. Their motto is: "Eight days of Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Asian, Cult and Freaking Amazing Cinema!" The festival runs September 21st to 28th, 2006
For more info: http://www.fantasticfest.com/
August 2006
Protection at the Gimli Film Festival
Danishka's latest film will play at the fabulous Gimli Film Festival on Saturday, August 5th at 8pm at the Lady of the Lake Theatre in The Waterfront Centre . The program is called "A TRIP TO BARBER’S SHOP: New Work from the Winnipeg Film Group" and also features short films by Cindy Murdoch and Matthew Etches.
For more info: http://www.gimlifilmfestival.com/
July 2006
Asian premiere for The Snow Queen
The Snow Queen, has been invited to the The 10th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan) in South Korea. The festival runs July 13 to July 22 in Puchon, one of the satellite cities of Seoul. PiFan will showcase around 260 films with an expected audience of 80,000. PiFan is committed to introducing alternative, cutting-edge fantasy, magic realism and sci-fi films from around the world.
For more info: http://www.pifan.com/
Folk Festival Update
Danishka's Folk Festival video will play on Friday, July 7th, 9:30pm – 10:30pm, at the Firefly Palace stage with a concert by Two Hours Traffic.
You can download the stage schedules at: http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca/index.php?pageID=2006+PERFORMERS&subID=&tmpl=2
May 2006
New work in progress
Danishka has been invited to create an installation for the Winnipeg Folk Festival. This new film will be projected on stage during a concert featuring Two Hours Traffic, a rock pop band from PEI. More details soon.
http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.com/
http://www.twohourstraffic.com/
Protection premieres in Germany
Danishka's latest film, Protection, a black and white experimental short, recently had its world premiere at the European Media Arts Festival in Osnabruck Germany on May 15, 2006.
For more info go to: http://www.emaf.de/
Protection screens in Winnipeg
Danishka's latest film, Protection, will be screened at Winnipeg's Cinematheque theatre as part of the Winnipeg Film Group's new premiere. The program is called "Light Scratches: New Experimental Films" and will screen May 26th to 28th, nightly at 9pm. The program includes:
Untitled3 - Sol Nagler
Hope - Matthew Etches
Direction - Heidi Phillips
Roberts Walk - Daniel Eskin and Dan Gerson
Protection - Danishka Esterhazy
Winged Victory - Victoria Prince
Ming So - Darryl Nepinak
Checkers - Jaimz Asmundson and Kyle Lemke
Peep Show - Ian and Mia
Panic Attack - Sheena Crooks
For more info go to: http://www.winnipegfilmgroup.com/index.aspx?FS=3&CF=7
February 2006
The Snow Queen screens in California
REEL WOMEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
SHORTS PROGRAM
Friday March 19, 11:45AM
Raleigh Studios Hollywood
Chaplin Theatre
Reel Women International Film Festival (RWIFF) was established to honor and advance the careers of accomplished and emerging female filmmakers by providing a forum for them to showcase their work to industry decision makers, as well as Southern California's film going audience.
Web site: http://www.rwiff.com/08shorts2.htm
January 2006
Snow Queen screens in France
CLERMONT-FERRAND SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
Canada Council for the Arts Showcase
January 30th, 2006
Market Screening
Georges Conchon Theatre
In 2006, the Clermont-Ferrand festival presents three competitions mixing film and digital medium, thus bringing greater diversity to the short film format – diversity being its basic principle, its source of uniqueness and vitality. This variety can also be found in retrospectives and other programmes for the pleasure of all festival audiences.
More info is available on the festival site.
December 2005
Danishka graduates from the Canadian Film Centre
Danishka has finished 6 months in the intensive Director's Lab program at the Canadian Film Centre - the renowned film school founded by Norman Jewison.
February 2005
The Snow Queen at the NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival
When the real world turns sour, ten-year old Talia finds shelter in a fantasy world of ice and snow. But as life becomes more and more difficult, Talia's daydreams become less protective and more menacing.
NOW PLAYING at the NSI FilmExchange Canadian Film Festival
Thursday, March 3 @ 7:30 pm
with CQ2 (Seek You Too) by Carole Laure
Location: Globe Cinema, Portage Place
Tickets $7.
Saturday, March 5 @ 2 pm
Showcase of Canadian Short Films
Location: Globe Cinema, Portage Place
Tickets $7. Directors will be present to discuss their film and answer questions.
MORE INFO ABOUT THE FESTIVAL: www.nsi-canada.ca/filmexchange/
July 2004
Endings in Toronto at Canadian Filmmakers' Festival
Endings is playing at Canadian Filmmakers' Festival
July 15th-18th 2004
Toronto
www.canfilmfest.ca
Screening: Sunday July 18th at 4:30pm as part of the "Summer Shorts" program
All Screenings Will Be @ The Royal Theatre
608 College St.
4 1/2 blocks west of Bathurst between Clinton and Grace
Tickets are $10 plus tax each and are available at The Royal's box office on the day of each screening.
Festival Passes (good for all screenings) are $60 plus tax and available by calling 416.846.3378.
All screenings are restricted to those 18 years of age and older.
In association with Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group.
May 2004
Threefold premieres at Sugar and Splice festival
Threefold is premiering on Sunday, May 30th 2004 at the Sugar and Splice film festival in Winnipeg.
March 2004
Endings screens at NSI FilmExchange
Endings will be shown at FilmExchange 2004 as part of the festival's Showcase of Canadian Short Films.
Visit the 2004 FilmExchange website for more information.
Danishka Esterhazy wins 2004 NSI Zed Drama Prize
Danishka Esterhazy wins the NSI Zed Drama Prize for "The Snow Queen" Film to be shot in late 2004 for release at FilmExchange in March 2005.
"The Snow Queen" will be broadcast on Zed in late 2005.
For more information, see:
- NSI 2004 Drama Prize press release.
- The Snow Queen casting call.
February 2004
Casting call for The Snow Queen
Update: production has been pushed back to late 2004. Submissions now accepted until June 15, 2004.
See the casting call announcement for details.